Review: "Dolemite is My Name" Serves as One of the Best Comeback Narrative of the Decade

Scene from Dolemite is My Name

For several generations, there was nothing as reliable as a new Eddie Murphy movie. From his breakout roles post-Saturday Night Live to the 2000s, he was known for producing some of the most successful comedies, regardless of how well they were actually received. It's what has made the past eight years a bit of an odd period for him. After seemingly producing multiple hits a year, he has spent most of the decade in silence, producing only five films compared to triple that in the previous period. He hasn't had a major hit since 2011's Tower Heist and everything since has looked doubtful that he would ever have that return to power. 

That is exactly what makes director Craig Brewer's Dolemite is My Name such a fascinating project. Much like Dreamgirls before, Murphy has often been at his best when something feels personal about his work. In this case, it's easy to see what draws him to blaxploitation icon Rudy Ray Moore. Both were vulgar comedians who appealed to the masses with profane catchphrases and ignoring everything a conventional performer would. Murphy in some ways has come full circle in the process, managing to feel like Moore because of his recent fallow period. He's older, may be seen by some as irrelevant, and it's exactly now that he needs to prove himself to a new public. Much like Moore with the iconic Dolemite, Murphy uses the biopic to explore how artists strive when nobody believes in them, creating a vision that reminds us that it isn't about age or looks, but the passion to create art no matter what. It's what helps to make this one of the greatest comeback metaphors of the decade.

Netflix Announces a Bold Theatrical Release Schedule for 10 Films

Scene from The Irishman (2019)

This past week has been an exceptional time to be a streaming service. If you managed to manage to make it through the weekend without seeing an ad for Disney+'s The Mandalorian, you're one of few. Even Netflix has gotten their fair share of news, announcing a Breaking Bad movie called El Camino and, in more important Oscar news, a lot of information about what to expect this Fall season. Yes, there are the obvious suspects with The Irishman and Marriage Story leading potential races, but more importantly, they have announced their own release strategy, their biggest single season of theatrical programming yet. With an announcement of 10 theatrical releases, it looks like the streaming service is starting to make their transition to conventional Oscar player, which could make this one of the most exciting seasons yet.

The Trailer for "Dolemite is My Name" Welcomes Back Eddie Murphy

Scene from Dolemite is My Name

For the first time in his career, Eddie Murphy has gone close to a decade without a genuine hit. While he has done the odd project here or there, his last major work came seven years ago with A Thousand Words and the Brett Ratner comedy Tower Heist. It's hard to remember these days why he's an essential figure in film comedy. With his first high profile gig in quite a while, Dolemite is My Name finds him starring with a strong supporting cast for Netflix. Considering that the streaming services is coming off a successful Oscar season, many have argued that this could be Murphy's return to the Oscars for the first time since 2006's Dreamgirls. It may be a long shot, but at least the trailer looks very funny and may revive his stillborn career.